The Silver Ferns will welcome back two players from injury for January's tour to the England, in what will be their last test outings before the Commonwealth Games.
Pulse midcourter Camilla Lees has been included in the 12-strong test side after overcoming a foot injury, while shooter Bailey Mes has made such strong progress with her rehabilitation from a knee reconstruction that she has been included as one of the four training partners to travel with the team.
Mes ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament in the Mystics final game of the season in June and was thought to be out of contention for the tour, but she has been incredibly disciplined with her rehab and is expected to be fit enough to tour. While she won't be a considered an option to play, it is believed Silver Ferns management wanted to include Mes in the tour group to give her an opportunity to work under assistant coach and shooting specialist Vicki Wilson.
Under-21 stars Malia Paseka and Phoenix Karaka will also tour with the Silver Ferns as training partners along with squad member Courtney Tairi, who was bumped out of the test team by the return of Lees.
Steel midcourter Shannon Francois retains her place in the 12 after impressing in the Constellation Cup series following her later call-up to the side.
